To make it clearer, there was a ball mark and spike marks. The first can be repaired, the second can't. That's the reason why we are taught never to drag our feet on the greens, or they cause spike marks or christmas trees, as some call it. And if we do accidentally cause spike marks, we should repair it before we leave the green for those that come after, like Sergio.

In this instance, it was a row of christmas trees. If you look at the first part of the video, you'll see a row of spike marks a few inches long right in front of his ball. And that's the same area Sergio hopped the ball over with his wedge and the ball rolled the rest of the way. If he putted, for sure the ball would have been deflected away from the hole.

So the commentator may have been mistaken when he mentioned the 'big spike mark' as being 10 inches in front. Perhaps he meant to say it was the ball mark.

FYI for those not in the know, it's not against the rules to chip on the green, but it's frowned upon, especially by the greenskeeper who has to repair the gaping hole usually left behind. It takes very precise contact and touch to execute a chip like Sergio's without taking a divot.

To make it clearer, there was a ball mark and spike marks. The first can be repaired, the second can't. That's the reason why we are taught never to drag our feet on the greens, or they cause spike marks or christmas trees, as some call it. And if we do accidentally cause spike marks, we should repair it before we leave the green for those that come after, like Sergio.

In this instance, it was a row of christmas trees. If you look at the first part of the video, you'll see a row of spike marks a few inches long right in front of his ball. And that's the same area Sergio hopped the ball over with his wedge and the ball rolled the rest of the way. If he putted, for sure the ball would have been deflected away from the hole.

So the commentator may have been mistaken when he mentioned the 'big spike mark' as being 10 inches in front. Perhaps he meant to say it was the ball mark.

FYI for those not in the know, it's not against the rules to chip on the green, but it's frowned upon, especially by the greenskeeper who has to repair the gaping hole usually left behind. It takes very precise contact and touch to execute a chip like Sergio's without taking a divot.

+10. Newbies should take note and learn as too often, I see some of them unknowingly, dragging their feet on the green causing spike marks to the detriment of the golfer who is unlucky enough to have to putt through these. It is important that all golfers must do their part to upkeep the course e.g. repairing all ball marks, tap down spike marks after they have finished the hole, rake bunkers, replace diverts, etc to make the game enjoyable/fair for those playing behind them which could very well be you!

To make it clearer, there was a ball mark and spike marks. The first can be repaired, the second can't. That's the reason why we are taught never to drag our feet on the greens, or they cause spike marks or christmas trees, as some call it. And if we do accidentally cause spike marks, we should repair it before we leave the green for those that come after, like Sergio.

In this instance, it was a row of christmas trees. If you look at the first part of the video, you'll see a row of spike marks a few inches long right in front of his ball. And that's the same area Sergio hopped the ball over with his wedge and the ball rolled the rest of the way. If he putted, for sure the ball would have been deflected away from the hole.

So the commentator may have been mistaken when he mentioned the 'big spike mark' as being 10 inches in front. Perhaps he meant to say it was the ball mark.

FYI for those not in the know, it's not against the rules to chip on the green, but it's frowned upon, especially by the greenskeeper who has to repair the gaping hole usually left behind. It takes very precise contact and touch to execute a chip like Sergio's without taking a divot.

+10. Newbies should take note and learn as too often, I see some of them unknowingly, dragging their feet on the green causing spike marks to the detriment of the golfer who is unlucky enough to have to putt through these. It is important that all golfers must do their part to upkeep the course e.g. repairing all ball marks, tap down spike marks after they have finished the hole, rake bunkers, replace diverts, etc to make the game enjoyable/fair for those playing behind them which could very well be you!

+100Unfortunate that many claim to love the game with a passion yet we can't even be bothered to look after the courses that are our playgrounds.

It's a sad reflection of selfishness and laziness that some expect other players or the groundskeepers to clean up after us. It's not like a cleaner who clears the table after we finish, done in less than a minute. Divots on the fairways and greens take a much much longer time to heal and grow over if not repaired immediately. Imagine how rapidly the course condition can go downhill if it's a high traffic course.

Who hasn't heard a fellow golfer grumble about how bad the green condtions are? And how many of said grumblers actually carry a pitch mark tool in their pocket?

FYI, we are not only supposed to repair our own ball marks on the green, but any others within our immediate vicinity within time constraint.

The same applies in the bunkers. To rake as much as is possible immediately around us without holding up play.

I remember a discussion once with a very passionate golfer who plays up to twice a week. This golfer decried the state of JB courses and how bad they are, and then went on to say that's why it's not worth raking the bunkers, or repairing divots and ball marks. Said golfer just could not grasp that not doing our part would only make the course condition degenerate much more rapidly. "The course condition oredi so bad, why bother?"

The icing on the cake is the reply "I will only rake bunkers in Singapore because the course condition is so much better."

Very interesting and informative read, this thread. Have learnt much.Would just like to say thanks to those seniors esp..Birdman, here who still contribute their time, knowledge and experience.All golfers must not forget that the 1st 2 most important things when we started this beautiful game are (1) safety and (2) etiquette. Your score, your longest drive, and etc....are all seconday.

Agreed. Yet how many practice that much and have that good a chipping skill? Reality check here. I'll be the first to applaud if you can pull it off, but what if..... I'm sure I'm not alone in saying I'd rather not putt on a green with a divot in front of me, let alone spike marks. So let's not take the chance, skilled or otherwise.

TDO wrote:

And if Sergio missed the little trick chip can you imagine what the story line will be?

And if a golf professional could possibly miss such a trick chip, what more an amateur?